The Outback

The Outback is a captivating three-part documentary series that premiered on PBS in 2018, immersing viewers in a journey through one of the world's most extraordinary and fascinating regions - Australia's great wilderness, the Outback.

The series is a phenomenal exploration of Australia’s vast interior, a land often misunderstood and overlooked, yet teeming with dramatic landscapes and an array of wild, enchanting, and often bizarre inhabitants. From the highest cliffs to the depths of the underground, flora to fauna, this series leaves no stone unturned, taking viewers on a remarkable journey across the Australian continent.

The series begins with a memorable exploration of the Kimberley region in North West Australia, an area larger than 75% of the world’s countries. The Kimberley is a magnificent mosaic of varying terrains and microenvironments ranging from pristine coastal regions, teeming with wildlife, to rugged inland mountains and vast, inhospitable desert plains. This episode illuminates the intriguing lives of the Kimberley's vast array of creatures, along with their survival tactics in a challenging environment that often ranges from extreme heatwave to torrential monsoon.

In the second episode, viewers are taken into the heart of the outback to experience Australia's Red Centre, a region known for its iconic red soils, extreme temperatures, and unique wildlife. Here, the viewers witness the awe-inspiring beauty of Uluru, the legendary monolith, and explore the ancient culture of the Aboriginal people who have lived in this harsh environment for thousands of years. The episode presents a mosaic of stories about survival in this remote, mystical, and harshly beautiful landscape, focusing on the animals that thrive there, from the spinifex hopping mouse to the wedge-tailed eagle.

The final episode of the series shifts focus to Australia’s tropical rainforests. These lush, timeless, and impenetrable realms are a haven for creatures of all kinds. Among the sensational canopy of trees and frenzied insect life, the audience discovers a range of spectacular creatures like tree-kangaroos, spider-tailed pythons, and the fascinating cassowary. As the series journeys through this region, it also sheds light on the extraordinary life processes such creatures go through to survive.

Over the course of three episodes, The Outback beautifully captures the change of seasons in the wildernesses of Australia, making the audience feel the scorching heat of the fires that reshape the landscapes and the torrential downpours that bring life back to them. The series masterfully intertwines natural history and cultural context to breathe life into the true character of the Australian outback. Apart from the wildlife and landscapes, it also analyzes how people, including indigenous communities, cattle ranchers, and conservation scientists, live in these remote landscapes, interacting with – and adjusting to - the wild, extreme, and mysterious outback environment.

PBS's The Outback deploys state-of-the-art filmmaking technology to offer stunning visuals, bringing the majestic landscapes and mesmerising wildlife of this region into viewers' living rooms. Through vividly detailed cinematography, the series presents a showcase of nature's resilience and a testament to survival in the hardest of circumstances. Additionally, the expertly narrated storyline provides audiences with not only a wealth of information about the region's geological history and biodiversity but also a deeper understanding of its cultural significance.

In summary, PBS’s The Outback is a gripping and edifying series, an enchanting tribute to one of the world's last great wildernesses, and an absolute must-watch for nature and wildlife enthusiasts or anyone looking to learn more about the enthralling, untamed, and paradoxically beautiful world of the Australian outback.